Giro d’Italia favourite Tadej Pogacar outsprinted on opening stage

Jhonatan Narvaez of Ineos Grenadiers took the victory in style

Jhonatan Narvaez took victory by outpacing Tadej Pogacar and Max Schachmann (AFP via Getty Images)

Jhonatan Narvaez of Ineos Grenadiers outsprinted Giro d’Italia favourite Tadej Pogacar to win Saturday’s stage one 140-kilometre ride from Venaria Reale to Turin, with the Ecuadorian taking the leader’s maglia rosa jersey.

Narvaez had the legs not only to follow Pogacar as he accelerated towards the finish to catch the leaders but also beat the Slovenian to the line, with Germany’s Max Schachmann taking second ahead of Pogacar.

“Following the best guy in the world on the climb was really hard, so it’s a special victory today,” Narvaez said. “It’s still hurting me now. It was really hard. Really, really hard. But in the end, I made it.”

The stage was dominated by an early break with six riders staying out front until the top of the second climb when Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier and Lilian Calmejane broke away on the descent.

On the final climb, UAE Team Emirates pushed the pace, dropping riders along the way and pulling closer to the leading pair, ready to set up Pogacar for the stage win.

With the peloton closing in, Calmejane decided to go it alone leaving Ghebreigzabhier to be swallowed up by the chasing pack and Calmejane hung on to lead at the top to secure the King of the Mountains jersey.

Jhonatan Narvaez had the quickest sprint on the opening day (REUTERS)

Schachmann led a group of seven away from the peloton and reeled in Calmejane with 10km left to race, but Pogacar made his move with 3km to the line followed by Narvaez.

The final sprint came down to this pair along with Schachmann and it was the Ineos Grenadiers rider who pushed hardest to reach the line, foiling Pogacar’s plans, and Schachmann took second in a photo finish.

“I think he went too long in the sprint, 200 metres after a really hard stage and I did a short sprint and in the end I took the victory,” Narvaez said.

Narvaez celebrated a well-deserved win (EPA)

The stage winner’s teammate Geraint Thomas, who finished second last year, didn’t lose too much time, coming in 10th, 10 seconds behind the winner.

Sunday’s stage two is another hilly ride, taking the riders 161-km from San Francesco al Campo to Santuario di Oropa.

Reuters